Infrared Building Inspections, Moisture Inspections
Flat Roof Membrane Moisture Inspections
Our membrane inspector has many years of practical experience with all types of waterproofing membranes. Over the years he has been involved with everything from substrate design, membrane application, applicator training, maintenance work, analysing the cause of failures and leaky building investigation. One of the main reasons he became a Thermographer was to be able to use the infrared technology to help find leaks in roofs and decks quickly and efficiently allowing you, the customer, to get them repaired before more serious damage occurs. Infrared is the best tool I've found for detecting that illusive flat roof leak. With infrared we can show where the water is and track back to where it's getting in. Water takes the least restrictive path to the ground by gravity. A roofer can attempt to fix the apparent location of a leak but it could be coming from the opposite side of the roof. The actual leak you see inside is where the path ends. This is why some leaks continue after repairs as they are repairing the wrong areas. If you get a report done and unless that person has membrane expertise and the right equipment they will usually come to the wrong conclusion and recommend a complete rebuild which can be unnecessary, expensive and there have been numerous cases where the same problems are re-occurring a few years down the track. The thermal properties of water, allows water to retain the heat energy from the days sun well after the sun has gone down. The roofing materials will cool much faster than any moisture present in the area and generate a corresponding thermal pattern. With a clear temperature difference we can clearly see the moisture under the roofing membrane with the aid of our infrared camera. These thermal patterns can be identified throughout the roof surface. Knowing where all the water is improves the chances that all the leaks are fixed. The next time you call the roofer you can show him where the leaks are and for peace of mind we can check the area again once repairs are completed to ensure the repairs are successful and set up a regular maintenance program.
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Cladding Moisture Inspections
Thermal image scanning has greatly improved our ability to perform cladding moisture inspections. If there is hidden moisture behind the cladding it's often visible with our Infrared thermal imaging cameras. Thermal image scanning also helps us see the extent of the affected areas of moisture damage. By using Infrared Cameras for cladding inspections we are now better able to identify areas that need repair quickly and easily compared to other types of inspections. Plaster homes are particularly problematic. Owners that take preventative steps now will most likely avoid the damage and depreciation that is very likely to occur if appropriate precautions are not taken. A large percentage of plaster homes are at risk of moisture damage. A plaster home left unchecked and untreated is very likely to have moisture damage which can cost thousands of dollars to fix, and could substantially devalue the property. These problems can be avoided by simply having regular thermal scans, finding out what needs to be done and fixing it promptly. We are kept up to date with current cladding information by attending seminars as we are members of the Cladding Institute of New Zealand (CINZ). Avoid the stigma of having your home labeled as a leaky building. Get a cladding moisture inspection NOW.
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Internal Moisture Detection
If there's moisture in a wall ceiling or floor, a correctly operated Infrared camera will see it as an anomaly and show it as a hot or cold spot. Infrared cameras can see leaks that may otherwise go undetected if no visible signs are present. The longer the problem goes undetected the more damage it can do. Common leaks found inside buildings are from bathrooms, plumbing pipes, rising damp, exterior roofs and cladding. When anomalies are found we then confirm it as a true or false positive and pinpoint the extent of the affected area. If required we will document the positive findings using the infrared camera software. This should enable a better evaluation of the extent of the problem and often eliminates unnecessary demolition, lowering repair costs and saving you time and money. So call us now for your internal moisture inspection.
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Heat Pumps/Air Conditioning Performance & Ducting Checks
From the smallest single-family home to the largest commercial complex, air conditioning running costs can be expensive when trying to maintain a comfort level suitable for living and working. A common area for problems is the ducted systems and its air tightness. How the ducting systems delivers conditioned air throughout the structure is crucial to the system's efficiency. Even the highest rated HP/AC system is useless without a well-sealed ducting system. Air leaks and poor or deteriorated insulation reduces the efficiencies of the system. A heat pump for instance may have to run a 20% longer to compensate for air leaks. Since we couldn't see air movement prior to infrared, we had to feel the air movement to detect it. Manually checking every connection, fitting and seam of the HP/AC ducting system is a time consuming job, only increasing with the size of the system. Now with infrared technology we can see the thermal pattern of this air loss or gain and where it is leaking. We can scan the entire ductwork system in minutes where it used to take hours. Scanning for air leaks and poor insulation are two of many issues that can arise in a system like this. Moisture from condensation can build up or collecting in areas where it can deteriorate the system. These areas not visible during a visible inspection of the system can be missed. A missed moisture issue in a warm air delivery system can allow an environment conducive for mould growth. During an infrared inspection it can be discovered before prominent damage or infestation can occur. Regular and preventative maintenance is the key to maintaining the energy efficiency of the equipment.
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Window Leaks
Do your walls feel damp, is there mould around your windows? Depending on the age of the structure and the building practices at the time it was built your windows may not be flashed properly and could be letting moisture into your home. Mould can form on the moisture, putting your health at risk. Leaks are common around older or poorly fitted windows and reduce the effectiveness of your insulation and any heating cooling systems must work harder to compensate for the loss. With the infrared camera we can identify these areas. The thermal patterns of these affected areas show as anomalies. Once you know where the affected areas are you can repair it and improve the comfort level of the home.
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Pre-purchase Inspections & New Home Audits
Are you buying or just built a new home and want to have the confidence that it's not a leaky building? Which areas are insulated and is it installed properly? Do you know we very rarely find a house that doesn't have some moisture or insulation issues. The prime purpose of a pre-purchase/new home inspection is to provide a thorough non-invasive Infrared scan of the building to identify any significant moisture, air or heat leaks that may affect the client's decision to purchase the property. Pre-purchase/new home inspections are not intended to point out every small problem or defect. A pre-purchase infrared building inspection report should not be confused with an appraisal, a building code inspection, or any guarantee of any kind, but a tool to aid the purchaser, to be better prepared and knowledgeable and therefore have the ability to make an informed decision.
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Preventative & Predictive Maintenance
Becoming more popular and a requirement from some insurance companies and banks that thermal scans at specified times are conducted to ensure buildings electrical systems and machinery don't suffer from avoidable and costly failures. Also when selling your house it can be a good selling point particular if you have a plaster home to be able to show a documented history of previous Infrared inspections showing that your house is not a leaky building.
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Post Repair Audits
It is essential that repairs done are successful and what better way to check this than with an independent infrared scan. Once repairs are completed we can come back and check the repaired areas to ensure there are no further issues. Sometimes as with water leaks it may be necessary to do a quick scan and moisture test during the repair process in order to ensure areas are dry enough for work to continue.
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